The Renaissance

During the late 1990’s and into the beginning of the new millennium, the once grand Chamberlin Hotel began to decline as a vacation destination. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 in Washington, D.C. and in New York City caused the security at Historic Fort Monroe to increase dramatically. For The Chamberlin, this necessary increase in security meant the end of its life as a hotel.

However, a group of investors organized by Drucker & Falk LLC—a locally headquartered investment real estate services founded in 1938—saw a vibrant and exciting future for the hotel.  In 2002, the group signed a contract to purchase the historic building and negotiated a land lease with the local Corps of Engineers and Pentagon officials, as the army owned the land on which the hotel sits. With an exciting new vision, and with increased interest from the surrounding community, the investment group began planning the renovation and renaissance of this majestic architectural treasure to offer fine retirement living in Hampton Roads.

A team of experts in historic renovation was assembled. Bob Burns, lead architect with Commonwealth Architects, joined the team, bringing his extensive experience in historic building revival to the table. An attorney and an accounting firm—both with extensive knowledge of the historic tax credit process—proved to be invaluable. Federal and State Tax Credits were secured through the Department of Historic Resources and the National Park Service in order to complete the renovations on the historic components of the building. 

Drucker & Falk, LLC’s Senior Housing division, led by Bob Lippard, was brought in to oversee every aspect of the redevelopment, insuring that the final result would be not only a beautiful building … but a wonderful community to call home as well. Mr. Lippard provided experience in senior living, as well as a background in healthcare administration. As a former hospital executive, one of his first orders of business was to find the right healthcare group to provide important health and wellness services to the community. Sentara Healthcare—one of the nation’s most progressive and integrated healthcare organizations, and the regional not-for-profit healthcare leader—joined the Chamberlin project in order to bring superior health services to its future residents.

In Summer 2008, The Chamberlin began a new life, born out of exceptional vision, solid experience, and a healthy respect for the past.